5 minute read
September 2022 Special Needs Living Akron/Canton
Family Spotlight
Meet Mason Gill and His Incredible Family
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Written By Andrea Hurr With Photos By Julian Curet
Mason is 10 years old and going into fifth grade. He gets to experience the best of both worlds because his parents live in the country in an old farmhouse (in between Massillon and Dalton), and Mason lives in a supported living home in Canton run by Quality of Life. He is home regularly for visits and family time and gets to experience a blend of city and country life, which is a unique opportunity for him.
Melissa and Jason cared for Mason right after he was born as a foster placement, and then at the age of 1, they adopted him. Melissa says that Mason was a happy, sweet, lively toddler who loved to smile, but she could tell that something was different with him. The Gills have a large family and lots of experience with little ones, so they were able to notice early on that Mason’s inability to focus on play and his meltdowns were not of the typical type for his age.
They suspected sensory issues, and there was also suspicion that he was neurodivergent (differing in mental or neurological function from what is considered normal or typical). His behavior heightened by the time Mason was in his preschool years, and Melissa still had suspicions that more was going on with him. He was at times very intense with his behavior, and the Gills sought out answers to help him.
At age 5, Mason was officially diagnosed on the fetal alcohol syndrome spectrum (FASD). Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are a group of conditions that can occur in a person who was exposed to alcohol before birth. FASDs have no cure and last a lifetime. No one treatment is right for every child and often takes years to find the treatment plan that works well. The Gills have had some challenging moments, but Mason continues to show them that mental health challenges and FASD are lifelong battles that they take day by day. They have such high hopes for him!
Melissa says that along with the neurological damage from FASD comes a plethora of comorbid disorders. They have discovered that Mason also has sensory differences, severe ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). She goes on to say that the “amazing, smart, caring and hilarious boy he is must struggle daily to navigate sensory input, social situations, school, and emotional regulation.”
They have been giving their all to help Mason be the best he can be, and that has included years of occupational therapy, counseling, education for them so they can be the best they can be for him, home health aides, residential treatment, special schools, and most recently Mason residing in a group home at Quality of Life. Extracurriculars can be challenging for Mason, but this past year he was a part of the Jackson Friends Church basketball league and, in the spring, participated in the Healthy Kids running series.
Melissa’s heart swells with pride when she sees him participating in a basketball game or race, and they always try to find activities for him that will set him up for success. Mason even likes to add a flip at the finish line of his 1-mile races. He is also very musically inclined and likes to write songs and rap. He’s fearless on his bike, super witty, and knows how to get a laugh.
Melissa says that having professional counseling for her personally has literally been lifesaving, giving her a place to vent and build her own coping skills, allowing her to heal from the trauma of a child with violent behaviors. Often parents of special needs children put themselves last and give their all to their children. This can result in burnout, strained relationships, physical health decline, etc.
You cannot properly help others if you yourself are struggling, so a round of applause to Melissa for recognizing that and doing what she needed to do. She says, “don’t hide your struggles too much; live open, honest, and raw and surround yourself with friends that can handle that. Know that not everyone will understand your journey. Give them as much grace as you can muster, but if you have to, don’t be afraid to walk away.”
I just want to end with these wise words from Melissa and the Gills, “let your kid be your guide, listen to your child and what they are trying to tell you with their words and actions. Keep moving forward, even by tiny steps.” And forward, Mason is going.
